The Story of How I Ended Up Becoming a Hero Without Realizing It While Training in the Infinite Labyrinth - Chapter 8
“Gu—GRUOOOOOH!”
“How’s your first taste of chili? Pretty spicy, huh!”
The High Goblin, hit square in the face with chili powder, writhed as it got into eyes and mouth.
I closed in and drove my sword through it.
If this were a light-novel protagonist, they’d beat it with their unique power alone.
But this monster treats subordinates like disposable tools.
The moment I died yesterday, any thought of a “fair fight” vanished.
“GruOH! GruOH! GRUOH!”
“Whoa, dangerous. Can’t see, but that club still packs the same punch.”
Blinded, the High Goblin swung its club wildly to keep me back.
Still suffering, it stood and glared at me with one eye.
“Pathetic glare—like I’m a coward. You’re the one who ganged up on a lone guy!”
I kept attacking the struggling beast.
My strikes were still weak, but with its movements dulled, I chipped away at legs and back.
“Gruo…”
“You taught me I don’t really die. As thanks, I’ll make the end quick.”
It collapsed to its knees.
I severed its head. Battle over.
“Revenge complete.”
I sat down, exhausted.
The corpse vanished, leaving a magic stone and a small orb.
“Hah—fitting for the strongest foe on Extremely Hard Floor 1. A Skill Orb this soon.”
Laughing, I picked up both and stored them in Inventory.
After a short rest, I headed to the stairs I’d marked yesterday.
“Floor 2 ahead… Thanks for the experience.”
I descended.
Floor 2 was also forest terrain.
One difference stood out immediately.
“Monster other than goblins. That’s a Wolf, right?”
I named the wolf-like creature from memory.
No weapons, but physical ability is likely far higher depending on difficulty.
“They usually hunt in packs or groups, but this one’s alone… Good practice.”
I checked surroundings, confirmed solo, and stepped out—no ambush this time.
“GARU!”
“Strong charge, but not High Goblin level!”
The High Goblin fight had been great training; I handled the Wolf’s attacks calmly.
Speed was impressive—nothing like goblins.
Fangs and claws looked lethal on direct hits.
If I’d come straight down yesterday, this thing would’ve killed me.
“But I’m not the same as yesterday!”
I blocked with my shield, flowed into a thrust, and pierced its throat.
Skill level 2 boosted power—my blade cut through its hide easily.
The body hit the ground, vanished, leaving only a magic stone.
“…Been thinking since yesterday, but even with difficulty, aren’t magic stones dropping too often?”
I said it aloud.
Even on max difficulty, this drop rate felt wrong.
While kiting the High Goblin, stones dropped constantly—Inventory already held nearly 50.
“Need to cash in at Rui’s again soon…”
I’d go only when I needed money to avoid burdening her.
Resuming Floor 2 exploration:
“Floor 1: goblins. Floor 2: wolves? Goblins are still here too—monsters gradually increasing.”
Two hours later, I returned to the Waiting Room before dying.
It was already midnight; fatigue had piled up.
I planned “just a bit,” but “a bit” became two hours.
“Anyway, Floor 2 later—reward time.”
Floor 1 clear granted rewards.
✤
Floor 1 clear confirmed.
Granting EXP and difficulty-scaled rewards.
✤
“…Level 16 now.”
Last check before returning: Level 13.
Three levels at once—reminder of this labyrinth’s insanity.
“At this rate, I’ll pass 100 soon. What’s Rui’s level again?”
I checked other rewards.
They went straight to Inventory, not the screen.
Inside: 100 lowest-rank magic stones and some potions.
“…Yakiniku party again tomorrow?”
Tempted, but I stir-fried extra vegetables tonight, bathed, and slept.